Mumbai’s air quality gets worse than Delhi as haze takes over the city!

After Delhi now it looks like Mumbai is in danger. As on Wednesday, an average air quality index (AQI) of 275 was recorded, as haze continued to develop in many parts of the Mumbai city due to the rise of pollution level marginally. An AQI of between 201 and 300 is considered poor, meaning such air could be harmful to sensitive people. The air quality in the city was worse than that of Delhi. It was recorded an AQI of 211. But Delhi’s AQI has had a significant development in course of time, as Delhi was in the worst condition before.


Apparently, Mumbai's overall AQI was 275, among the 10 specific locations monitored by Safar in the city, six recorded an AQI in the very poor category (between 301 and 400). These were Mazgaon (342), Bhandup (327), Bandra Kurla Complex (327), Borivli (319), and Colaba (320). Navi Mumbai's AQI too was similar—309. As these are the poor qualities. As for temperatures, at the IMD's Colaba observatory, the minimum recorded was 23 degrees Celsius, compared to 21.5 degrees a day before. At Santacruz, the comparative readings were 21.5 and 19 degrees.


The humidity levels in the cities of Mumbai are recorded as in Colaba and Santacruz were 80% and 51%. IMD scientist Ajay Kumar said, "Winds are easterly to northeasterly in the night, which brings in warm air. Owing to this, temperatures are on the rise. Besides, there is a westerly trough, which is moving northwest of the country. This is pulling in a lot of moisture from the Arabian Sea."


Marine Drive resident Mahendra Hemdev said, "I was in Bandra and then in the evening came towards south Mumbai and noticed that the haze was everywhere. It was difficult to see things at a distance. The weather has been very gloomy and if felt that it would rain too at some point. The kind of weather Mumbai has been witnessing has not brought any respite from the heat.”


Officials from Safar said, "While the air is in the poor category now, we are expecting the same to improve as the day progresses. There is a western disturbance which is pulling in a lot of moisture, but as the sun comes up, its heat would reduce moisture and pollution levels, thereby improving air quality."


On Wednesday an AQI of above 300 was recorded in various places in the city which was reported to fall in the poor category people with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.